@dalecruse
"Liking Malbec is akin to liking Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue.' It's
predictable & they like it because they're 'supposed' to."

Now I feel a little lame for liking both Malbec and "Kind of Blue".

Dale explained that he wasn't saying that you shouldn't like Malbec or "Kind of Blue", merely that liking them is a predictable choice. I accidentally accused him of snobbishness, he corrected me, I recanted, we all lived happily ever after. After I had thought about his comparison, I think he was onto something. Malbec and "Kind of Blue" might be the perfect comparison.

I know several people for whom "Kind of Blue" is the only jazz album that they own or listen to. I don't think that this is because they are supposed to like it, though. I think that it's because the album contains all of the elements that make great jazz–the improvisational vibe and the feel of a cool downtown red brick bar, filled with smoke and dim lighting. This album has the sometimes slightly chaotic influence of Coltrane, but Davis keeps him under control. It's balanced and approachable, managing to avoid the more avant-garde feel of some jazz. That's what makes "Kind of Blue" the album that can appeal to everyone, not just to jazz fans.

Malbec is the same way. The variety has a certain wildness to it. It can have really good complexity and unique character, but it typically has great fruit flavors and isn't overbearing. Although there are definitely good and bad Malbecs, just like any other wine, there seems to be a general accessibility to Malbec that not all varieties can boast. I have introduced several friends to Malbec, and I think it might be one of the best "gateway" wines. One of the first wines that really got me passionate about wine was a Malbec, and I had never even heard of it at the time.

So, I think that Dale and I really agree on the fact that Malbec and "Kind of Blue" are predictable favorites, but I think that my take on it is a little bit different. Sure, there might be an aspect of press pressure for some people, and maybe you can call it being safe, but in general I think that people like both of these things because they are both very likable. They are easy things to like. It's like Dale said in one of his comments, "It's like saying you like sunshine and puppy dogs. OF COURSE you like them – who doesn't?!"

10 Comments Already!

I don’t like puppy dogs! HA! I’m sure you didn’t offend Dale – he seems like a pretty easy going guy and definitely not a snob.
This is a fun post and cool way to talk about Malbec.
Josh @nectarwine (twitter)
P.S. I am a fan of yours on FB

What do you do if I dislike melbec but really like “Kind of Blue”? Am I very odd?:-)
Good post actually and a good comparison by Dale Cruse. I hope it generates more discussion.
Josh, you don’t like puppy dogs!!! What kind of person are you!

Chris – Yeah, you’re a weirdo if you don’t like Malbec. Just kidding. What I love about wine is that everyone has something different that appeals to their palate. The only bad kind of wine is the one that you don’t like.
Josh, good thing you corrected the record, I was looking for my rope. Disliking babies I can stand, but I won’t tolerate any dog haters here.

Ha, if it weren’t for my scathing comment you might not have had to write this post – sorry! I shouldn’t post comments on a whim. I like your thoughts and I agree with you – people like these things because they are awesome. In the words of the great Gary V – trust your palette! (unless your palette tells you to drink Boone’s.)